AMT Q and A_7 Apr 22.pdf

Question Reference Answer 1 Will the Small Business rule (51%) be applied? Will it be at the CLIN or IDIQ level?

1: How will the Small Business minimum performance requirement be approached? 2:

With some of the larger aircraft CLINs likely only being provided by large Businesses, I would be concerned that there is a very large possibility for their revenue share to exceed the 49%. 3: Will it be addressed at the IDIQ or Task Order level?

Would the Government consider splitting the Rotor and Turbo prop CLIN (X004) into separate CLINs to assist with pricing?

There is no pricing on the Basic Contract. The pricing is at the task order level. The SOW would call out either Rotor or Turbo when using

CLIN X004.

Is the Government able to provide more definition to the Basic Maintenance Course (CLIN X008)? Is it Airframe and Power which is 1900 hours?

Basic Maintenance Course(s) (CLIN X008) provide commercial academic and maintenance fundamentals training in topics to include, but not limited to, power plant, airframe, and aircraft systems. Basic courses should allow students to successfully gain the initial aircraft maintenance knowledge and theory necessary for further follow‐on maintenance training. Training should be generic in nature and include lessons on career field familiarization, maintenance fundamentals, aircraft system familiarization, Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE), Occupational Safety and Health (AFOSH) programs, maintenance data documentation, maintenance materials (basic hardware practices), tool use and control and supply responsibility. This may be a standalone basic or fundamental course or may be a portion of aircraft maintenance fundamentals as part of an Airframe and Power plant course. The details of the training requirements will be defined at the task order level.

To provide clarification on calculating the 50% limitation for contracts that include both services and supplies (i.e., mixed contracts), FAR 52.219‐14 states, when a contract is assigned a NAICS code for services, the 50% limitation only applies to the services portion of the contract.

The NAICS for subject requirement is 611512‐Flight Training which the Government considers to be a Service. The Aircrafts needed for training would be consider “Products” and would not be consider under 50% limitations. Compliance will be at the Basic Contract Level.

Does a contractor have to show the ability to obtain all aircraft? Yes, the contractor must have the ability to obtain all aircraft. Per FAR 16.504(c)(ii)(A) The Contracting Officer must avoid situations in which awardees specialize exclusively in one or a dew areas within the statement of work…each awardee need not be capable of performing every requirement as well as any other awardee under the contracts.

The three subfactors under Factor 2 provide offerors the ability to show they are capable of meeting FAR 16.504(c) (ii) (A). The Government anticipates team arrangements to take place.

It is not a concern for D2 because they will be partnering, but believes this will be tough on all small businesses. The cost of the big airplanes rental restricts companies who want to bid but can't.

Market Research conducted in 2020‐2021 shows Small Business has the capabilities to perform the A&MT requirement.

We can only offer a Part 142 training and provide specific Boeing and Airbus airplanes, would we just be a sub?

Interested parties can choose to be a sub or can team with other firms.

Per FAR 16 offerors cannot propose to niches; they have to initially propose to the whole requirement.

Will the Pre‐proposal conference slides be available for distribution after the briefing? Yes, along with a list of attendees will be posted on the 17th of March.

Attachment 2 ‐ Addenda to 52.212‐2 identifies on page 4 of 8: The Offeror’s sample task order proposal meets all of the sample task order minimum requirements IAW PWS Sections 2.1 and 3.1.11 and Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Paragraph A.i.2.b.

Attachment 1 header is titled: ADDENDA to FAR 52.212‐1 Addenda to FAR 52.212‐1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (NOV 2021) However, A.i.2.b is not found.

Will the USG please identify where A.i.2.b is located by file name and page number? Attachment 2‐

Addenda to 52.212‐2

Attachment 2 ‐ Addenda to 52.212‐2 identifies on page 4 of 8: The Offeror’s sample task order proposal meets all of the sample task order minimum requirements IAW PWS Sections 2.1 and 3.1.11 and Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Paragraph A.i.2.b.

Is changed to:

Attachment 2 ‐ Addenda to 52.212‐2 identifies on page 4 of 8: The Offeror’s sample task order proposal meets all of the sample task order minimum requirements IAW PWS Sections 2.1 and 3.1.11 and Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 Paragraph A.j.2.b.

Paragraph A.j.2.b. is located in Attachment 1 ‐ Addenda to 52.212‐1 02 March 2022, starting on page 3. See Amendment 0002

Paragraph 2(a) states "a. Subfactor 1‐ Obtaining Aircraft and Simulators: The Offeror shall provide detailed information which demonstrates the capability to gain access to aircraft from PWS Appendix A, Aircraft Categories A, B, C and D, as well as both simulator & aircraft for categories E and G. The technical volume shall include for each category, at a minimum: 1. Aircraft model(s) that will be obtained for each category above. 2. Identify how access will be obtained (in‐house, lease‐back, etc) for each category of aircraft and simulator required above. If by subcontract, include the name of the vendor." Appendix A states: For Categories A, B, C, D, E, and G the table states "equivalent aircraft" at the end of each sentence. QUESTION: Can the government please provide a definition of equivalent aircraft or clarify its intent?

Attachment 1, Paragraph 2 (a) and Attachment 3, Appendix A

Example aircraft are provided for each Category listed on Attachment 3, Appendix A. Equivalent aircraft is defined as having similar performance, weight, and use as those aircraft listed. This definition is not limited to only US aircraft builders. PWS Appendix D will be updated in Amendment 0002 to include this definition.

Paragraph 2 (a) states: "a. Subfactor 1‐ Obtaining Aircraft and Simulators: The Offeror shall provide detailed information which demonstrates the capability to gain access to aircraft from PWS Appendix A, Aircraft Categories A, B, C and D, as well as both simulator & aircraft for categories E and G. The technical volume shall include for each category, at a minimum:... However, Attachment 3, Appendix A states: "equivalent aircraft and/or simulator" for Categories E and G.

QUESTION: Can the Government please clarify the requirement for Categories E & G are: "both aircraft and simulator" or "aircraft and/or simulator?" Also, will the Government accept only simulator only if the offeror has the ability to use a FAA Part 142 Training Center for that Type, Model, and Series.

Attachment 1, Paragraph 2 (a) and Attachment 3, Appendix A

The USG will be evaluating Subfactor 1 for "both aircraft and simulator for categories E and G". Paragraph 2 (a) states: "a. Subfactor 1‐ Obtaining Aircraft and Simulators: The Offeror shall provide detailed information which demonstrates the capability to gain access to aircraft from PWS Appendix A, Aircraft Categories A, B, C and D, as well as both simulator & aircraft for categories E and G.

PWS Paragraph 3.1.9.1.1 states: "The USG and contractors must comply with the provisions of the ITAR before exporting defense articles, technical data, or defense services. The Contractor shall adhere to ITAR guidance as implemented in the Armed Export Control Act. QUESTION: Must the prime contractor for this ID/IQ be registered with the Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance at proposal submission and show proof of registration in the proposal?

PWS Paragraph 3.1.9.1.1

There is no submission requirement in the RFP. Contractor/Sub‐ contractor must insure there are no third party disclosure issues violating ITAR.

PWS Paragraph 3.1.9.1.3 states: The Contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract and personnel management to insure there are no third party disclosure issues violating the ITAR. QUESTION: Must all subcontractors be registered with the Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance prior to conducting training on any task order?

PWS Paragraph 3.1.9.1.3

There is no submission requirement in the RFP. Contractor/Sub‐ contractor must insure there are no third party disclosure issues violating ITAR.

PWS Paragraph 2.1 states: Aircrew training is required for various aircrew positions, to include but not limited to, pilots, Combat Systems Officers (CSO) (Navigator), Fight Engineers, Loadmaster, Air Battle Manager (ABM), Mission Systems Operator (MSO), System Mission Aircrew (SMA). QUESTION: Should "Fight Engineers" be "Flight Engineers?"

PWS Paragraph 2.1

Flight Engineer is correct. Updated PWS will be posted with Amendment 0002.

PWS Paragraph 2.1 states: Training includes physical and mental skills, knowledge objectives for basic flight maneuvers, normal procedures, emergency procedures, flight planning, day, night, instrument flight, and navigation profiles. QUESTION: Does the Government expect any training to be conducted using Night Vision Systems? If so, will the Government provide those systems?

PWS Paragraph 2.1

Yes. USG expects some flight training requirements to include Night Vision Device training to be included in the aircraft and/or simulator.

This requirement will be individual Task Order based and GFP may or may not be provided.

Paragraph 2.1.3 states: "An FAA certification check‐ride may be required as stated in the individual TOs." QUESTION: Would these check‐rides require a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner?"

PWS Paragraph 2.1.3

Yes. USG expects the vendor to accomplish all training in accordance with FAA guidance, to include the use of an FAA Designated Flight Examiner where/if required.

PWS Paragraph 3.1 states: "The Contractor shall provide a POC to the CO prior to contract award for all contractual matters during normal hours of operation." QUESTION: Does this mean the offeror must identify the its POC/Program Manager in the proposal?

PWS Paragraph 3.1

The Contractor shall provide (identify) a POC to the CO prior to contract award but this POC may change IAW contractor operations.

PWS Paragraph 3.1.1 states: "The Contractor shall provide a PM as specified in the individual TO. The name of the PM and an alternate, or alternates, who shall act for the Contractor when the PM is absent shall be designated in writing to the CO prior to contract award and as changes occur." QUESTION: Does this mean the offeror must identify the its POC/Program Manager in the proposal?

PWS Paragraph 3.1.1

The Contractor shall provide (identify) a POC to the CO prior to Task Order award but this POC may change IAW contractor operations.

Does the Government require access to both aircraft and simulator if our solution has a Part 142 Certificate that supports the training for that particular aircraft?

Attachment 1, Paragraph 2 (a) and Attachment 3, Appendix A

As all requirements will be individual Task Order based, in some scenarios, access to both aircraft and simulator will be highly desired.

However, in other scenarios (but not all), a Part 142 solution for a particular aircraft may be acceptable.

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide, Paragraph III, A states: "At a minimum, each Contractor shall propose on 85% of the FOPRs providing at least 30 calendar day proposal submission periods during all reporting periods throughout the life of this contract.

Failure to meet the 85% participation rate will be considered in the Government’s evaluation of the Contractor’s performance." QUESTION: What are the reporting periods the Government use to make the 85% determination?

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide

Reporting periods begin on the day of contract award and end each year thereafter. Updated Ordering Guide will be posted with Amendment 0002.

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide, Paragraph IV states: "Orders will be awarded to the lowest priced offeror IAW with the following procedures:…" QUESTION: Will the Government consider changing this selection criteria to a Best Value Tradeoff type of evaluation?

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide

Task Orders will be awarded IAW the contract and Ordering Guide.

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide, Attachments: The Sample Attachments cannot be opened. QUESTION: Can the Government please provide the sample attachments?

Attachment 4 Ordering Guide

Attachments are posted with this Q&A and Amendment 0002

PWS Appendix A, Aircraft Categories: Category B does not include the Tucano Aircraft, yet the Sample Task has the Tucano included.

QUESTION: Will the Government be adding the Tucano aircraft to the Aircraft Categories listed in PWS Appendix A?

PWS Appendix A

No, the Tucano will not be added to the list of aircraft on Appendix A, Category B. The Appendix A is only a list of examples. As long as the Tucano characteristics are that of a "Light Prop Trainer" then it would belong in Category B.

QUESTION: Are we to provide a total of (7) summarized syllabi, one each for the Private Pilot Course, Instrument Rating Course, Tucano EMB312, Seasoning‐Basic Aerobatics‐ Formation‐Low Level Flight, and Seasoning/Advanced‐Mission Exercises as called for in the Sample TO?

Attachment 5, Deliverables, #4

(3) Training Syllabus Report 2

Yes. The vendor is required to submit a summarized syllabus, to include academic topics covered and hours planned, flight and/or simulator procedure topics and maneuvers to be taught, and flight/simulator hours planned, and training/calendar days required for each course.

QUESTION: Please define what the purpose and endstates of each PWS 4.1.5 – 4.1.7 syllabi requirements (4.1.5 Initial Training Course, 4.1.6 Recurrent Training Course, and

4.1.7 Seasoning/Advanced Training Courses) are.

PWS Paragraph

4.1.5 ‐ 4.1.7

As stated in Para 4.1.5‐4.1.7, the vendor should reference the appropriate course descriptions listed in para. 2.1.8‐2.1.10. These courses will be defined by Individual Task Order for any aircraft listed Attachment 3, Appendix A.

QUESTION: Are PWS 4.1.5 – 4.1.7 syllabi requirements (4.1.5 Initial Training Course,

4.1.6 Recurrent Training Course, and 4.1.7 Seasoning/Advanced Training Courses) only linked to Tucano EMB312, Seasoning‐Basic Aerobatics‐Formation‐Low Level Flight, and Seasoning/Advanced‐Mission Exercises as called for in the Sample TO?

PWS 4.1.5 ‐ 4.1.7,

Training requirements listed in PWS para, 4.1.5‐4.1.7 will be defined by Individual Task Order for any aircraft listed Attachment 3, Appendix A.

QUESTION: Are PWS 4.1.5 – 4.1.7 QUESTION: If PWS 4.1.5 – 4.1.7 syllabi are tailored courses, what are the qualifications and background of the students to which we are tailoring courses to and what are the desired requirements and endstates of the tailored course?

PWS Paragraph

4.1.5 ‐ 4.1.7

IAW PWS para 3.1.12, all students will possess the appropriate English Language Comprehension score before arrival to training. Additionally, all students should complete either a USAF Class I flight physical or equivalent flight physical performed in their home country. Students with neither of the above will require the vendor to coordinate with an FAA designated physician to provide the appropriate flight physical class examination, dependent upon the training required by the Task Order. All student previous flight experience/licenses and certifications will identified on the Statement of Work associated with the Task Order.

QUESTION: Will the USG accept a Part 61 Private Pilot Course syllabus that achieves standards, course requirements, and awards a Private Pilot Certificate in less that 58 aircraft hours?

SOW TO ‐

Deliverables ‐ #2 Aircrew Initial Qualification Hands‐On Flying

All hours listed on the Task Orders are expected to be provided to the student, and considered as "Not to exceed." If, however, more hours are required to achieve the endstate, the vendor will annotate such in their reply to RFP, or submit a request for more hours, along with justification for USG review.

QUESTION: Please confirm that desktop simulators with peripherals such as rudders, power quadrants, and yoke controls will suffice for C172 flight simulation devices.

SOW TO ‐

Deliverables ‐ Instrument Rating Hands‐On and Simulator Flying.

Yes. Desktop simulators, as described here, will suffice for C‐172 flight simulation devises.

QUESTION: Please confirm the minimum Instrument Rating Course training aircraft hours should be 35 hours as required under Part 141, not 32 hours. The requirements can be found in CFR14 Part 141 Appendices C, Section 4 (1) (minimum of 35 aircraft hours for Instrument Rating).

SOW TO ‐

Deliverables ‐ Instrument Rating Hands‐On and Simulator Flying.

Confirmed. Part 141 does list 35 hours. As each set of student's previous flight experience may differ, USG expects the vendor to use the most hours efficient/effective training plan to achieve the requirement listed on the Task Order, within the confines of FAA guidance.

QUESTION: Please provide guidance on what will happen to students if they finish a course early? Will the USG take control of students until the next stage of training is available? Will we be allowed to move students onto the next phase early if available?

Please clarify answer in terms of single students and for classes of students.

SOW TO ‐

Deliverables ‐ Training Period

Based on Task order requirements, if a student completes training early then that student should be allowed to proceed to the next stage of training. If there is a gap, and student support is a requirement on task order, then the contractor will be responsible for that student throughout the duration of training. If student support is not a requirement on task order, then the USG is responsible for the student until the next stage of training begins. This applies to single and classes of students. These type of scenario's should be communicated through student training reports IAW PWS Para 3.1.1.1.

QUESTION: If an IMS fails the FAA written knowledge test for either the Private Pilot Course or Instrument Rating Course, will they be terminated from the class or allowed to re‐test? Will the USG reimburse for the added expense of re‐testing in terms of instruction time and actual testing cost?

SOW TO

All training in addition to that listed on the Task Order will be submitted by the vendor, along with justification, to USG for review. If warranted, USG will concur the additional hours/training request, and amend the Task Order as appropriate.

QUESTION: If an IMS fails the FAA Practical Test (Check Ride), for either the PPL or IR, will they be terminated from the class or allowed to re‐test? Will the USG reimburse for the added expense of re‐testing in terms of instruction time and actual testing cost?

SOW TO

All training in addition to that listed on the Task Order will be submitted by the vendor, along with justification, to USG for review. If warranted, USG will concur the additional hours/training request, and amend the Task Order as appropriate.

Academic Training: Is there an expectation for the average length of an academic training course?

Academic hours will be in accordance with FAA standards. Hours in excess, will be within industry standard. In the absence of FAA or industry standards, hour will be requested along with justification for USG consideration.

For OCONUS TOs, are the training materials provided to each student expected to be in their native language? We understand the English Comprehension Level requirements but would like to verify the requirements for the training materials.

IAW PWS Para 1. ‐ Training shall be Contractor‐provided Training, and all instruction and technical information shall be in the English language.

The Solicitation POC is listed as Scott Springer, 487‐5501. Could you please provide the area code?

Mr. Springer's area code is 210. Please note, this is an office number, but he is routinely teleworking. The best method of communication is by email @ scott.springer.5@us.af.mil.

Appendix A – Aircraft Categories: Does the Air Force expect to have each category of aircraft in possession at the time of award, or can the aircraft be readily accessible to qualify to bid on T/M/S Task Orders?

No, each category will not be evaluated. For contract award, the USG will only be evaluating Subfactor 1‐ Obtaining Aircraft and Simulators:

The Offeror shall provide detailed information which demonstrates the capability to gain access to aircraft from PWS Appendix A, Aircraft Categories A, B, C and D, as well as both simulator & aircraft for categories E and G. For TO's, the USG will evaluate to ensure all training requirements can be met IAW PWS.

3.2.1.1 Aircrew Instructors: For clarification, the list of qualifications for instructors in paragraphs 1‐5 is to qualify the instructor to use within our MOI and not the MOI itself.

All instruction provided in the aircraft will be provided an instructor who satisfies one of the qualifications listed in PWS 3.2.1.1, para. 1‐5.

4.2.1 Provide OCONUS Training: Will instructors need to have local aviation certification, i.e. Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) equivalency while training in foreign countries?

This requirement will be defined by Task Order. All OCONUS training will be provided in accordance with FAA and host nation civil and military guidance.

Will Price be a part of the evaluation? Do we have to provide a price in the pricing model?

Per Addenda 52.212‐2, 1.B.b.Subfactor 2: SUPT the pricing sheet is to be completed. The pricing sheet is to be fully complete to include pricing. The price given will not be evaluated. The completeness of the pricing sheet is evaluated.

Do you have to propose to both Aircrew and Maintenance training?

Yes, an offeror must show the ability to provide the whole requirement. Per FAR 16.504(c)(ii)(A) The Contracting Officer must avoid situations in which awardees specialize exclusively in one or a dew areas within the statement of work…each awardee need not be capable of performing every requirement as well as any other awardee under the contracts. The three subfactors under Factor 2 provide offerors the ability to show they are capable of meeting FAR 16.504(c)

(ii) (A). The Government anticipates team arrangements to take place.

Do I have to have Past Performance in all areas? IAW Addenda 52.212‐2 1.B.(d) Factor 3‐ Past Performance ‐‐ * In the case of an Offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance ( see FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the Offeror shall be determined to have unknown (or "neutral") past performance.

In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, a neutral rating shall be considered "acceptable."